Scale-forming apparatus.



H. B. MATHEWSON.

SCALE FORMING APPARATUS.

APPUCATION FILED NOV. 26. ms.

1 1 9 1 ,71 1. Patented July 18, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR jw i m W ee/717B Mathew/500 add-5m. MMdn u m A TTORNEYS WITNESSES Q1 H. B. MATHEWSON.

SCALE FORMING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION 111:0 Nov.2e, 1915.

1,191,714. Patented July 18, 1916.

3 SHEETS-6H? 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTUI? Hen/7b Mat/1644000 imifl/W I A TTORI VE Y8 nu NoRms PEIERS cc. mom-1.1mm. WASHlNarvN. 11.:

H. B. MATHEWSON.

SCALE FORMING APPARATUS. APPLICATION'FILED NOV. 26. 1915.

Patented July 18, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WITNESSES IN VII-N TOR By Henry B. Mathews 0/2 ATTORNEYS 1 mm. 170., [Wow Lima. Mmmumm a. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY B. MATHEWSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN OPTICAL COMPANY, OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

SCALE-FORMING APPARATUS.

Application filed November 26, 1915.

b all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY B. lliIATllEW- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in. the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scale-Forming Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in scale forming apparatus, and has for its object the provision of an improved apparatus, by which a dial or scale may be readily formed, having indications in predetermined relation to positions occupied by a registering or indicating device on the apparatus for which the scale is intended.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved apparatus particularly adapted for use in connection with a measuring instrument having a circular scale and hand movable thereover, such as a lens measure for example, which apparatus will permit of the exact registering of the several positions of the hand or pointer on a separate index which may be later applied to the instrument.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved apparatus for accurately attaining the various desired adjustments of a curve measuring appliance without the use of varying curves or the like and in connection therewith of means for photographically or similarly indicating in a permanent manner the exact amount of movement of the indicator for a certain known adjustment of the parts.

Other objects and advantages of my improved apparatus should be readily apparent by reference to the following specifica tion taken in connection with the accompa- Irving drawings forming a part thereof, and it will be understood that I may make any n'iodiiications in the various details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter disclosed, within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or exceeding the spirit of my invention, it being understood that in the accom panying drawings I have illustrated merely one of many possible physical embodiments of the generic principles of my invention.

Figure I represents a perspective view of one form of my apparatus in operative posi tion. Fig. II represents a, longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. III represents an Specification of Letters Patent.

-a lens.

Patented July 18, 1916.

Serial No. 63,552.

enlarged sectional view on the line III-III of Fig. II. Fig. IV represents a transverse sectional view on the line IVIV of Fig. II, particularly illustrating the device to be corrected and the parts closely associated therewith. Fig. V represents a top plan view of the complete apparatus, a portion of the cover of the photographic chamber being removed. Fig. VI represents an enlarged sectional view centrally of the photographic apparatus.

In the drawings, in which similar characters of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designates the table portion or base of the apparatus having se cured thereon the longitudinally extending bracing and guide members 2, while rising from the table portion 1 is the superstructure of my apparatus, comprising a hood or inclosed chamber at one end thereof and a frame 3 near the opposite end. This frame 3 is intended to support the device whose dial is to be formed or corrected, and for convenience in the present instance I have shown this device as a lens measure or watch, as it is commonly termed in the art, the particular form illustrated comprising a cylindrical casing having the central arbor 5 bearing the hand or indicator 6 and adapted to be provided with a dial as 7. This watch has projecting from one side the guide 8 bearing the pair of stationary pins 9 and the movable central pin 10. This pin, as is well known by those versed in the art, is connected through suitable gearing or the like to rotate the arbor 5 and thus the hand 6 when brought into engagement with The pin 10 normally projects a considerable distance beyond the points of the pins 9 to fitconcave surfaces, while it may be pressed-inward, as when the device is brought against a convex surface, to correetly measure this surface. As this par ticular apparatus for example is designed to measure ophthalmic lenses for use in the correction of visual defects, it is essential that it be as accurate as possible in its measurement, and it is, therefore, the purpose of the embodiment of my invention here illustrated to facilitate the forming of a dial or scale 7 for an indicator of this nature which in place of being mathematically figured, as is ordinarily the case, will be determined by the actual positions assumed by the hand 6 at its different adjustments and will thus take care of any irregularities in the gearing or the like contained within the case l, and will permit of the ready correction of the measure at any time by the forming of a new dial to be substituted for the old and incorrect one. In the accomplishment of this result I employ the holder 11 having a member 12 for elampingly securing the lens measure therein, said holder being supported by the slides 13 and 13, movable in directions at right angles to each other by means of the adjusting screws 1% and 15, respectively, so that the holder and measure contained therein may be positioned in my apparatus with extreme accuracy, the slide 13 being carried by the frame 3 in suitable guides formed on the frame, and the slide 13 moving across the face of the slide 1 3, as should be readily understood by reference to digs. I and TV.

Pivotally secured to the base or table 1, as at 16, is the bed plate 17, bearing the plate glass or other guide member or bed 18, said bed plate being at its free end pressed into engagement with the support 1 by the spring 19 and being adjustable as to its horizontal angle by means of the set screw 20, as will be best understood by reference to Fig. 11. Rising from this bed plate are the brackets 21 carrying the guide rod or rods 22, adapted to be engaged by the grooved or channel members 23 on the under side of the slide or carriage 2%, which has the points resting on the bed 18. This carriage-is similarly provided with a supplemental bed plate or member 26 bearing the straight-edge 27 of glass or other suitable material capable of being formed to approximate if need be a theoretical plane surface or straight line, the member 98 being pivotally supported as at 28 on the carriage Q-l and being adjustable relative to the carriage at its free end by means of the vernicr screw or like arrange ment 29, which is preferably provided with avernier scale cooperating with an indicator on the member 26 to indicate the angular adjustment of the straight edge 27 relative to the carriage, although it will be understood that in place of or in addition to this indicator a sector-like indicator 31 may be provided to indicate said adjustment.

As previously mentioned, the form of my invention here illustrated is particularly adapted for use in the correction or formation of correct dials for lens measures or the like, or in other words, for measures adapted for use in connection with varying curved surfaces. In accomplishing this result, therefore, the said plate 17 is so leveled by means of the screw or adjusting device 20 and the straight-edge so leveled by means of the adjusting device 99 thatwhen the center point 10 of the measure is brought into engagement with the straight edge 27 and the carriage moved back and forth beneath said point, the said point will remain in exact registration with the zero mark or point on the measure.

It is well known that the lens curves corresponding to the various diopters and fractions of diopter-s have a constant variation, and I make use of this fact in my apparatus as follows: The bed and the straightedge on the carriage having been so adjusted that there is no movement of the hand (3 as the carriage is slid back and forth beneath the measure, but the hand (3 remains .t ACITU, 1 then shift the carriage a predetermintul distance which may be determined from the pointer 32 and scale 33, and by means of the adjusting device 29 vary the angle of the straightedge 27 relative to this earrige by any desired amount. The usual manner of determining this amount is by applying the measure before it is placed in the machine to a lens of a known standard value and making a mark to indicate the position occupied by the pointer (3 when the measure is applied to that lens. The straight-edge is then raised in engagement with the point 10 till the hand 6 i. forced into this known. position. This position is preferably a fixed diopter number, as for example, the posi tion at which the measure would accurately indicate a power of 10 diopters in a lens being measured. A movement of one-tenth of this distance then from either the zero point or the ten point, will cause a movement of the pointer corresponding to a variation of one diopter. a movement of two tenths, a 'ariation of two diopters, and so on. These equal movements may be determined by the pointer 32' and scale 3-, and the various subdivisions or quarters and eighth diopters may be similarly determined. It will thus be seen that movement of the iarriage back and forth will cause a rotary n'iovement of the arbor 5 and a swinging of the hand or pointer 6, while the position it occupies when measuing each diopter or fraction of a diopter in the power of a lens is mechanically determined by my apparatus in place of the scale being formed to theoretically or mathematically determine the position which the hand should occupy, it ideal conditions as to construction. lack of wear, etc, in the various parts of the measure existed.

While it will be understood that if desired the various positions occupied by the hand as the carriage is moved along to the various graduations on the scale could be indicated on the dial. 7 by suitable marking directly thereon, I prefer to employ the mechanism hereinafter described, which may be used to form either a photographic or manually marked dial, as may be desired, but which in any event permits of more accurate marking and the production of a more neat and attractive dial than would be possi ble by a direct marking on the face of the instrument when mounted in my apparatus, and in addition eliminates the possibility of disarranging the adjustment of the measure as might occur were the attempt made to place the marks directly on the face of its dial.

As mentioned, I have mounted on the opposite end of the base 1 from that on which the frame 3 for the measure is located a hood comprising the end portions 3i and and the inclosed casing 36, which is preferably constructed to be light-proof. Journaled in the member is the horizontally extending spindle or shaft 37, which projects inwardly beyond the member 3* and terminates in the point 38, adapted to be centered with the arbor 5, this point being carried by the sleeve 39 slidable on the shaft 37 to permit of bringing of the pointer into engagement with the exposed end of the arbor if desired. This sleeve further provided with the sighting guide d0 having a suitable notch, hair, cross line or the like 41 adapted to aline with and form a continuation of the hand (3, as clearly illustrated in Fig. IV. A rotary adjustable angularly disposed mirror 4.2 surrounding the shaft 37 and supported by the end 34L of the hood facilitates exact sighting or alining the indicator 4:1 and hand 6 at any position of the hand. To rotate the shaft 37 to aline the indicator 41 and hand, the shaft is suitably provided as interiorly of the hood 36 with the gear 4L3 having meshing therewith the pinion 44 on a spindle 45 provided with the knurled head or handle s6 projecting exteriorly of the hood 36, whereby rotation of the head &6 imparts a slow rotary movement to the shaft 37, as will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. I. the hood being raised to facilitate the illustration and understanding of these parts.

I have hereinafter described the preferred form taken by my apparatus when it is desired to photographically form the dial. it being understood that when it is desired to manually or otherwise form the same it is merely necessary to have the shutter or indication guide, as it may be termed, so disposed that a marking device may be operated through the slot in the shutter in place of a ray of light being used to imprint the marl: on a sensitized film or paper, the general operation being otherwise the same.

In the form here illustrated. I have shown as suitably supported within the hood 36 the frame 17 for supporting the sensitized film or paper 478 and the shutter device, the shutter device having a keyay adapted to slide over the spline 49 on the shaft 37 so that the shutter will be locked to rotate with this shaft. The sensitized paper 48 having been placed in position in the frame 47 and the shutter mounted on the frame, the complete device is inserted within the hood and placed in position, the shutter fitting on the spline 49 to rotate therewith, and the slot 50 in the shutter being disposed in. alinement with the indicator a l located on the opposite end of the shaft.

Carried by the end of the hood is a suitable bulb or source of illmnination 5.1 controlled as by the push button 52. parts being in this position and in the relation indicated in F I for example, it is merely necessary to press on the button when the interior of the hood will be teinporarily illuminated and a photographic The f impression of the slot 50 will be made on scale 33 and pointer 32, the knob or handle e26 turned to bring the indicator tl into alinement with the hand 6 in its new position and a second photograph taken, and. so or until the complete scale has been photographically formed.

It will be noted that in the form of dial illustrated on the lens measure, the several grzuluations are of unequal length, that is to say, the dioptcr graduations are longest, the hal -oiopter graduations are of an intermediate length, while the quarter-diopter 'ariations are still shorter. This may be accomplished in one of two manners, as may be preferred by the individual operator. The shutter 49, as mentioned, is provided with the slot 50, while rotatably mounted on the face of the shutter is the supplemental shutter 53 having an angularly cut-away portion at one side to pro ride the inclined edge adjacent the slot 50. In the form illustrated I have indicated an improved manner of rotatably shifting the auxiliary shutter 5;) so that any desired length of slot may be secured, or the auxiliary shutter may be shifted to entirely cover the slot 50 and thus entirely protect the sensitive plate or film t8. In this construction the main shutter l9 has projecting tl'icrefrom the posts to which are pivoted the arms 57 having their other ends connected to the shift collar which is engaged by the yoke 59 on the control rod 60, which projects through the end of the hood, and has connected to its outer end the shift lever 61, riding on the segment 62,

against the tension of the spring 6% which 153 LLB ' with my normally tends to shift the auxiliary shutter into position to close the slot 50.

t will be readily understood by reference to the drawings that when the auxiliary shutter is in its widest open position a long line may be imprinted through the slot 50 on the sensitized paper 48, while similarly movement of the auxiliary shutter toward closed position will cause shorter lines to appear.

In the use of this device in connection apparatus, I preferably first set the same for the greatest length of slot and .iorm the various measure marks on the pro posed dial, 1 then set it tor the intermediate length of mark on the dial and form all of the intermediate marks, after which I set it for the shorter ones and form all of these. It will be understood, however, that it proterred i may vary the adjustment after each mark and thus consecutively form the several marks around the dial in place of lormine those o'l one size successively and then taking up another size, but the previously describei'i method has been found to be under general conditions the more rapid.

will be understood that while I have described this particular method of shifting the auxiliary shutter. and specific type of auxiliary shutter that I do not wish to be limited to the specific details of construction shown and described, since the auxiliary shutter could be rotated by hand if desired, particularly if the apparatus were being used in a dark room. or a slide or other device mic-"ht be employed for varying the length of the slot 50 in place of the auxiliary shutter. The form here described, however, I have considered particularly advanta gleous inasmuch as the auxiliary shutter n0rmally closes the slot 50 so that the sensitized paper l8 may be placed in the retainin frame l? in a dark room and the shutter applied to the frame, and the complete de vice then taken into an ordinary lighted room. placed in position within the hood and the hood closed, after which the auxil iary shuttir all may be shitted by the lever 61 to open the slot 50 the various desired amounts, and the complete dial formed, the lever 61 being: ag'ain shifted to close the slot when the frame or holder it? and parts may he removed to the dark room and the dial developed in the ordinary manner.

will be understood that in the correction of dials tor lens measures for example, the variation will ordinarily ause but a very slight difference in the position of the main measuring points on the dial, as for instance the various diopter figures or numerals (l5, and I may, therefore. if desired mathematically determine the approximate position at which the numerals 65 should be located. and may form a printing mask stencil bearing these numerals and clamp the same in proper position within the frame l7. In this event the shutters and 41) will have the apertures (ill and ()7 respectively, formed therein, the aperture (37 being a bulb at the inner end of the slot 50, while the aperture (3!; is disposed in position to a line with the aperture 67 when the shutters a re set to mark the longer or diopter indicating line on the dial. It will thus be seen that when the shutter 53 is set for the longer line, the apertures in the shutters will be alined and consequently it one of the numerals (i5 is in approximate alinement with these apertures both the numeral (i3 and the long or main division line will be simultaneously printed on the paper l8 upon energizing of the light 51. ()n the other band, should there be a pronounced variation between the theoretical position of the lig'llre on the dial and the point at which this figure should actually be located, the numeral will not be beneath the apertures in the shutter and consequently will not appear on the photographed dial but must be manually marked or printed on it.

In brief, the operation of my improved apparatus is as follows: A. lens measure or other device for which a dial or scale is to be made, is tested by application to a piano and to a surface of known curvature, to determine the position occupied by the hand 6 at zero or plane and at the point ol? known cur rature, and these points are marked on the face. The instrument is then placed within the adjustable holder carried by the frame or standard 3. and the bed plate. straight edge and holder relatively adjusted till the center point 10 rests on the straight edge 27, the points 9 span and are out of engagement with the straight edge, and the hand 6 registers with the zero mark, when the pointer 32 on the carriage coincides with the zero mark on the scale 3 The carriage is then moved till the pointer corres 'ionds in its position on the scale 33 with the predetermined point marked on the tace ot' the measure and the straight edge angularly ad justed till the hand or indicator (3 also coincides with this mark. Equal graduations along the scale as the carriage moved back and forth then cause corresponding amounts of movement of the point (t. The sensitized paper, etc, is then placed in tl e frame or holder l7 within the light-proot hood 36, the auxiliary shutter shifted to open the slot and the shaft 37 rotated to bring the indicator 11 in line with the hand (3. lressure on the button 572 then energizes the light 51 to print an indicating line or line and number, as the case may be, on the sen sitized paper 48, when the carriage is slid to a new position and the operation repeated until. the complete scale has been printed. The shutter is then closed or all lights in the room extinguished, and the sensitized paper iii and holder removed and the paper developed in the ordinary manner. It may then be applied to the face of the measure and forms an absolutely accurate and correct dial therefor.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of my improved apparatus should be readily apparent, and it will be seen that I have p'ro vidcd a simple, efficient and practical apparatus which, will produce an absolutely accurate dial indicating the actual movement of a pointer irrespective of the mechanical inaccuracies or irregularities of the indicator for equal movements of the contacting point.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a holder for the measure to be corrected, of means adjacent the holder for engaging the measure and actuating the mechanism thereof a certain predetermined amount, and means cooperating with the indicator on the measure for recording the response of the indicator to the known actuation of the mechanism of the measure.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a base, of a holder SUPPOitCCl thereby and adapted to receive a measure, means on the base adjacent the holder for actuating the mechanism of the measure a known amount, a shiftable sighting device carried by the base and mounted for moven'ient corresponding with the movement of the indicating portion of the meas ure, means for manually alining the sighting device and indicator on the measure, and means for recording the movement of the sighting device.

3. In an apparatus for testing a measure of the type having a movable contact point and a rotatable indicator, the combination with a holder for the measure, of means adjacent the holder for shifting the contact point known amounts, an alinin g arm mounted for movement corresponding to the movement of the indicator, means for moving the arm to coincide with the movement of t he indicator, a slotted shutter movable with the arm, and means for causing the adjustment of the arm and shutter to be photographically recorded as desired.

lr. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a holder adapted to receive a measure with a movable point and an indicator, of an inclined straight edge mounted for movement across the point of the indicator whereby different adjustments of the straight edge will cause known moven'ients of the point of the indicator, recording mechanism, and means for shifting the recording mechanism to aline with the indicator at each movement of the indicator caused by the shifting of the straight edge to record the several positions of the indicator for known movements of the contact point of the measure.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a support, of holder on the support adapted to secure the instrument to be tested, a shiftable contact device on the support adjacent the holder adapted to engage and actuate the instrument to be tested, second support on the base, a shaft journaled in said second support and bearing a sighting device for cooperation with the indicator of the instrument, a guide device in the shape to facilitate recording of the position of the shaft and sighting device and means for rotating the shaft to aline the sighting device with the indicator of the measure.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a support, of a slide bed mounted thereon, a carriage movable over the bed, a straight-edge on the car riage, and means for holding an instrument to be tested in desired relation to the straight-edge.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a support and a carriage movable on the support, of a straight-edge on the carriage, means for air gularly adjusting the straight-edge, and means for supporting an instrument to be tested with the desired portion thereof in contact with the straight-edge.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a support and a carriage movable thereover, of a contact carried by the carriage and adjustable relative thereto, a standard adjacent the carriage, and an instrument holding device mounted on the standard for movement toward and movement transversely of the contact on the carriage.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with an instrument holding device and means for actuating the instrument, 'of means for recording the re sponse of the indicator on the instrument to known actuations, including means for holding a dial sheet, an alining device adapted to be alined with the indicator of the instrument, and a member movable synchronously with the alining device and having a marking slot traveling over the dial sheet to facilitate recording on said sheet various adjustments of the instrument.

10. In an. apparatus of the character described, the combination with a base and a standard rising therefrom, a primary bed.

plate mounted on the base beneath the standard, means for tiltingly adjusting said bed, a carriage movable over the bed and bearing a straight edge, means for tilting the straight edge on the carriage to counterbal ance or accentuate the tilting of the primary bed as desired, means on the standard for holding an instrument to be tested in such position that a portion thereof will engage the straight edge, and means for recording the effect on the instrumei'it of its engagement with the straight edge.

11. I11 an apparatus for correcting measures, the combination with a holder for the measure to be corrected, of a slidable carriage having a straight-edge for engaging a mo 'able portion of the measure, means for adjusting the straight-edge on the carriage, a rotatable indicator on the measure, a shaft alined with the axis of the indicator and having a finger curved to aline with the indicator on the measure, a dial sheet holder arranged concentric with the shaft, and a slotted member adj aeentthe dial sheet holder and rotating with the shaft, whereby as the shaft is turned to bring the finger into alinement with the indicator on the measure in various positions these positions may be marked on the dial sheet through the slot, substantially as illustrated.

12. In dial forming mechanism, the combination with a rotatable shaft, of a radially apertured shutter carried by the shaft, a supplemental shutter adapted to partially close the aperture in the first shutter to any its radial length, and means for relatively moving the shutters to control the size of the effective aperture in the main shutter.

13. A lens measure correcting apparatus, embodying means for holding a lens measure having a movable point, an inclined straightedge slidably engaging the movable point of the lens measure, a scale and pointer for indicating the amount of sliding movement of the straightedge, and means for recording the position of the indicator on the measure as the pointer is moved into alinement with each of the several graduations on the scale.

1%. In a device of the character described, the combination with a holder, of a straightedge, means for angularly adjusting the straight-edge relative to the holder, a scale and pointer for indicating the amount of longitudinal movement of the straight-edge, and means for photographically registering the effect on the instrument in the holder of these various movements of the straightedge.

15. A dial forming apparatus for lens measures, including a support for the measure, and a support for a dial sheet, means for engaging the measure to produce the effect of the application thereto of lenses of difi'erent dioptrics, ashaft axial with the pointer on the measure, and means carried by the shaft near each end and t 'aveling therewith, one of said means moving over the face of the measure and the other over the face of the proposed dial, whereby when the said means near the dial is alined with the pointer on the measure the position of the pointer may be accurately indicated on the dial sheet through the medium of the other of said means as a guide.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a lens measure holder, and an indicator sheet holder, of a shutter movable over the holder, a finger movable over the face of the lens measure holder and measure contained therein, means for moving the finger and shutter in unison, the said shutter having an aperturetherein, means for varying the size of the aperture in the shutter, and manually controlled means for illuminating the shutter as desired, whereby photographic images of the various positions of the aperture in the shutter may be formed when a sensitized indicator shcet is employed.

17. The combination with a base and a support rising therefrom, of an instrument holder on the support adapted to receive an instrument having a shiftable contact point and a rotatable indicator for indicating the movement of the point, a straight edge on the base for engaging the point, said straight edge being mounted for vertical and sliding movements whereby shifting of the straight edge known amounts will cause known movements of the contact point of the instrument, means for determining the amount Of movement of the straight edge, a photo graphic apparatus including a rotatable shutter, means for rotating the shutter to cm'respond with d,i.iferent movements of the indicator on the instrument, and means for actuating the photographic apparatus to record the several rotative adjustments of the shutter as desired.

In. testimony whereof I aliiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses. I

HENRY B. MATI'IEIVSON.

IVitnesses ALnmrr C. SMALLEY, FRED. IV. Vane.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

